He said so Friday in Calgary, albeit with a caveat: hockey would be moved to the Summer Games.

“Just as an historical anecdote, the first time there was hockey in the Olympics was 1920 in Antwerp in the Summer Games,” said Bettman of a seven-team tourney won by the Winnipeg Falcons.

“You’d have to talk to the players, but I’m assuming from their comments (they would want to play). I would be (in favour).

“Since pre-(IOC president Juan-Antonio) Samaranch ran the IOC a long time ago I’ve repeatedly said ‘what about the Summer Games?’

“It gets no traction whatsoever. When I ask it I almost get the sense of ridicule in their reaction.”

Put aside the quirkiness of having hockey played in the summer spectacle, the reality is that if both sides – the IOC and the NHL – both felt the partnership could be mutually beneficial they’d find a way to further explore the notion.

The players are off during the summer, as is the league.

It solves one of the biggest impediments, which is having to disrupt the NHL season for the players to attend the Winter Games.

Could be a creative way to marry the two together again.

A creative way of solving another problem involves hopes a 2026 Olympic bid by Calgary might break the stalemate between the city and the Flames as it relates to building a new arena.

The IOC recently shot that down, saying a new rink wasn’t necessary as the hockey tourney could be played in Edmonton or Vancouver.

Thanks but no thanks, IOC.

When asked about it, the commissioner shrugged off his involvement.

After all, he has no say in the rink debacle and repeated that a dozen different ways Friday, despite futile efforts to extract a new narrative.

“There’s nothing going on,” said Bettman of the Flames decision to end the charade of negotiations with the city.

“That’s been the case since the summer and I don’t foresee any change. I completely concur with the position the Flames have assumed because I don’t see any point either in there being any talks. They are no longer pursuing a new arena or a new development because they don’t see any prospect of that happening on any terms that make any sense.

“There’s nothing else I can tell you. This building is the oldest in the league and there’s no prospect of it being replaced. So, I don’t know. I’m not in the business of constructing buildings.”

Scotiabank Saddledome, home of the Calgary FlamesJeff McIntosh /
The Canadian Press

Neither is the city, as it relates to the Flames.

Both sides are being silly.

That’s not going to change anytime soon, which is why the commissioner wasn’t interested in discussing it at all.

Any time he does, the vitriol of the angry left rains down on him anyway.

It’s a mug’s game, which is why this team will eventually leave.

But you didn’t hear the commissioner say that.

He’s learned through this highly-charged debate that discussing the reality that something will eventually give in this situation is a no-win tack.

So he shrugged, answered questions on the rink the way he has all along and implored questioners to get over it.

Has the league office received calls from parties outside Calgary interested in buying the Flames?

“No – that’s not something I’m engaged in because if the club were for sale, that would be a decision that the Flames ownership would make,” said Bettman, insisting repeatedly he’s here as part of his semi-annual western swing, not to spark debate.

“Is there anything in my track record that indicates that I’ve ever been happy when moving a franchise? Of course it’s important (to keep teams in Canada). We had the Canadian assistance plan before the Collective Bargaining system when the league wasn’t in an economic position to do that. We recognize the strength of Canadian franchises. We also recognize that history is full of situations where we’ve been successful in keeping franchises in place and where we haven’t been successful. It’s unfortunate when we’re not successful but we try to be successful.”

He’ll continue to do that, as long as the Flames are content playing towards a dead end.

How long is anyone’s guess.

Right now the team is competitive and drawing well, but that won’t last forever.

This Week's Flyers

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